James W. Hayes

James W. Hayes, age 86, of Bel Air, MD, died peacefully in his sleep at his home on September 9, 2009 and joined his beloved wife of almost 67 years, Pearl M. Hayes, who had passed away 9 months earlier.
Born in Wilkes County, NC, James was the son of the late William Blaine and Dora Jane Miller Hayes. He and Pearl were married at 19 years old in York, South Carolina but the couple chose Harford County as their home for over six and a half decades.
James, also known as Jim to his friends on post, first worked in construction helping to build up the Edgewood Arsenal for the war effort in 1942. He later worked in the medical research test division while Pearl assembled gas masks at the factory on post. James soon joined others answering the call to our country's aid for WW2, as he was sent off to train with the 44th infantry at Fort Lewis, Washington and served with the medical division of the 88th Chemical Mortar Battalion in the Philippines and in Japan. After WW2, he worked as a technical engineer on Edgewood Arsenal until his retirement.

Mr. Hayes is survived by his daughters, Joan Hayes DeMey and Hester Hayes, both of Edgewood, MD and Gloria Jean Futty of Joppa, MD; his 5 loving grandchildren, Craig DeMey, Mara Lawler, Jean and Joan Skillman, and Barbara Brown; and 7 adoring great-grandchildren, John Michael Skillman, Ethan and Elliott Brown, John, Alex and Madeline DeMey and Lily Pearl and Matilda Mey Lawler. His kindness and laughter will be missed by all who knew him and his love will remain in our hearts always.

A remembrance ceremony and interment service was held at Bel Air Memorial Gardens, Bel Air, MD on Saturday and attended by family and close friends.

Those who desire may contribute to:
The Salvation Army
300 Seneca Ave
Havre De Grace, MD 21078-3920
(410) 939-3535